PTSD

[briangriffin]

oldbanger said:

Your friend could look for trauma specific physchotherapies e.g. EMDR, and possibly needs to lay off the booze.

Do they want any help?

Yeah he does its as if he wont take the final step to go to one of the forces centres for treatment though. We did try and encourage him a couple of years ago when he had just come out of a bad relationship even offering to take him there and we'd stay in a hotel nearby if needs be.

Since then barring one episode when we weren't about he's seemed to be in a decent place, new house, lovely partner and a couple of kids. The one episode was recently though and he caused himself some harm so we plan to have a chat with him this weekend about it.

on my part at least though I don't want it to be seen as us lecturing him about going to one of the forces centres though or speaking to a doctor etc; things are complicated more by money worries as he's just gone self employed also, although his parent are great and help him out and we've offered also (which we will do again this weekend especially if he feels its a barrier to getting help).

Anyone have any advice on how to approach it all? It is something that flares up now and again although we don't know the full extent as we're not at home with him. (are aware he has nightmares though). Difficult to know what to do/say to encourage him getting help, is it like alcoholism where they've got to want to do it themselves?

[Fozziebear]

briangriffin said:

Yeah he does its as if he wont take the final step to go to one of the forces centres for treatment though. We did try and encourage him a couple of years ago when he had just come out of a bad relationship even offering to take him there and we'd stay in a hotel nearby if needs be.

Since then barring one episode when we weren't about he's seemed to be in a decent place, new house, lovely partner and a couple of kids. The one episode was recently though and he caused himself some harm so we plan to have a chat with him this weekend about it.

on my part at least though I don't want it to be seen as us lecturing him about going to one of the forces centres though or speaking to a doctor etc; things are complicated more by money worries as he's just gone self employed also, although his parent are great and help him out and we've offered also (which we will do again this weekend especially if he feels its a barrier to getting help).

Anyone have any advice on how to approach it all? It is something that flares up now and again although we don't know the full extent as we're not at home with him. (are aware he has nightmares though). Difficult to know what to do/say to encourage him getting help, is it like alcoholism where they've got to want to do it themselves?

Does he keep in touch with former unit guys? Sometimes they can help, if not it's a hard subject to bring up. Try to see if he will speak to combat stress or even RBL? I've had to speak to a few guys about what's bothering them, one guy last month was via phone close to ending it all, I managed to talk him down and get a local guy to support him, Minnesota is a long drive! The booze needs to stop, its evil and makes everything worse.

[FredClogs]

Ecstasy is supposed to be good when combined with talking therapies for PTSD, that's just what I heard and am no sort of doctor.

I think I had mild PTSD after a motorbike accident years ago, I still have the odd bad dream about it which leaves me shaky and moody, I cant imagine what it must be like for people who have been through war fare, Scroobius Pips podcast this week had a young lad who suffered in Afghanistan, its a good listen. I don't understand why the armed forces don't take more responsibility for this stuff before they through people back onto civvy street.

[Jonmx]

fttm said:

I was diagnosed to be suffering with PTSD from something that happened decades ago . I/we manage to cope with the effects and for quite a few years haven't sort treatment , not that I found it any real help when I did , other than seeing my wife fully understand how the illness can mess with a persons sense of reason , something I could never properly explain to her .
After a triggered blip/episode a few months ago my very loyal and patient wife suggested Bipolar and with subsequent research I think she could be right , again . Due to living in the middle of nowhere specialists are hard to come by, but I am going to continue the hunt for answers . This thread has fueled my determination further , thank you .
To quote the late Steve Jobs "here's to the crazy ones".

Getting a diagnosis of Bipolar or finding a GP who has a good understanding of mental health is a challenge even in populated areas! Don't make the same mistake as I did of accepting the first answer. I knew something was wrong, but the GP simply said that mental health is tricky, and to keep an eye on myself. 2 and a half years later after it cost me my job, home, marriage and caused a lot of legal problems I got a diagnosis and finally got some help. Read as much as you can about it, there are other mental health issues that are similar and consequently it's an often misdiagnosed area.
As you ended on a quote, I shall do the same with Albert Camus; "Nobody realises that some people expend tremendous energy merely to be normal".

[fttm]

Jonmx said:

fttm said:

I was diagnosed to be suffering with PTSD from something that happened decades ago . I/we manage to cope with the effects and for quite a few years haven't sort treatment , not that I found it any real help when I did , other than seeing my wife fully understand how the illness can mess with a persons sense of reason , something I could never properly explain to her .
After a triggered blip/episode a few months ago my very loyal and patient wife suggested Bipolar and with subsequent research I think she could be right , again . Due to living in the middle of nowhere specialists are hard to come by, but I am going to continue the hunt for answers . This thread has fueled my determination further , thank you .
To quote the late Steve Jobs "here's to the crazy ones".

Getting a diagnosis of Bipolar or finding a GP who has a good understanding of mental health is a challenge even in populated areas! Don't make the same mistake as I did of accepting the first answer. I knew something was wrong, but the GP simply said that mental health is tricky, and to keep an eye on myself. 2 and a half years later after it cost me my job, home, marriage and caused a lot of legal problems I got a diagnosis and finally got some help. Read as much as you can about it, there are other mental health issues that are similar and consequently it's an often misdiagnosed area.
As you ended on a quote, I shall do the same with Albert Camus; "Nobody realises that some people expend tremendous energy merely to be normal".

Thank you for replying , I will indeed keep looking for an answer . Don't get me wrong , we have a good life plus thankfully my wife and grown children are very supportive but this st/illness never goes away and hindsight makes me recoil almost in disgust at my conduct during some low moments . I find it odd at times that I can hide my illness from the outside world , baring in mind we emmigrated (not related) I don't think anybody I know would have a clue about my situation , even back in the UK there were only two close friends who knew , both ex forces and also suffering from the demons , we talk to each other a lot .
I'm one of the lucky ones , and whilst being able to ramble on all night I'll just say again , thanks .